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Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: March 12 – 18, 2011

Saturday, March 12 – Swordsmen’s Rendezvous
En garde! Experience this unique living history program as you learn a skill all 18th-century gentlemen must know – swordplay! The program at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., includes re-enactment of 18th-century swordplay and a display of 18th-century weapons. This popular family event will include some audience participation as you practice your newfound talents. Price is $6 per person, ages 5 and up. Program recommended for 2nd grade and older (adults will have fun too!). Tours are from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242

Saturday, March 12 – Tracing Your Civil War Ancestor Lecture
Commemorate the Civil War Sesquicentennial by finding out about your Civil War ancestors with this lecture at a 1 p.m. at Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Constance Potter and Katherine Vollen of the National Archives & Records Administration will review some of the many Union and Confederate records and resources for researching Civil War ancestors, and provide guidelines for how to get started. Cost for the lecture is $10 per person, and reservations are suggested due to limited seating. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.746.4848.

Monday, March 14 – Tavern ToddlersJoin us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through April 25 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Monday, March 14 – Founder’s Park Dog Exercise Area to Close for Annual Turf RehabilitationThe Founder’s Park Dog Exercise Area, located at 351 N. Union St., will close the week of March 14 for annual turf rehabilitation and other maintenance activities. In the interim, residents and visitors may use the Windmill Hill Park Dog Exercise Area, located at the corner of S. Union and Gibbon Streets, and the Montgomery Park Fenced Dog Park, located at the corner of Fairfax and First Streets. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Tuesday, March 15 - SBDC Business Development Roundtable
The Alexandria Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer a Business Development Roundtable on the topic of “Marketing to Different Generations.” The seminar is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. at Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. Admission is free. For more information, call 703.778.1292 or visit the www.alexandriasbdc.org.
Coming Soon

Saturday, March 19 – Green Building Workshop
Attend the second Eco-City Alexandria Green Building Workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke Street. The workshop will provide insight into why an energy audit is beneficial, the elements of an audit, what to expect from an audit report, and much more. Participants are encouraged to RSVP by e-mail to Erica.Bannerman@alexandriava.gov. Door prizes awarded at the event. To learn more about the City's green building efforts visit the Green Building Resource Center at www.alexandriava.gov/gbrc.

Saturday, March 19 – “Her Story” for Brownies
Celebrate women and learn about issues important to women and girls in your community at this special event for Brownie Girl Scouts during Women’s History Month! At “Her Story” at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., Brownies will participate in hands-on activities and a service project with a choice of session times at 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. This program fulfills the requirements for the “Her Story” Try-It for Brownie Girl Scouts. Advance registration is required and cost is $6. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.746.4994.

Saturday, March 26 – Seventh Annual Rum Punch Challenge
Just as tavern guests did over 200 years ago, try different rum punch creations from local distilleries, restaurants and caterers – and then vote for your favorite at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.). This year’s participants include reigning champ Bacardi, returning competitors Dogfish Head Spirits, Bittersweet, and Basikneads Catering, and newcomers Jackson 20 and FireFlies. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., enjoy rum punch, period and modern food, and a silent auction full of great items. Tickets are $50 and reservations are required. For more information, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Monday, March 28 – 31st Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet
The Alexandria Commission for Women invites you to reserve your spot at the 31st Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet. The event will kick off with a reception at 6 p.m., with the dinner and awards program to follow at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 901 N. Fairfax St. For more information, call Sarah Watson or Lisa Baker at 703.746.5030.

Thursday, March 31 – Film Screening of “Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up”
The public is invited to a free film screening of “Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up,” a feature length documentary that takes a powerful and intimate look at how popular pressures around gender and sexuality are shaping the lives of American teens today. The film proudly showcases the diverse and unscripted voices of more than 50 youth from a wide range of high schools, who speak with breathtaking honesty, insight, and humor about gender roles and the struggle to be who they really are. The film screening begins at 7 p.m. at the Durant Center, 1605 Cameron St. RSVP to Erika.Kleiner@alexandriava.gov. For film information and to watch the trailer, visit http://groundspark.org/our-films-and-campaigns/straightlaced.

Now Registering

Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center Offers Alexandria Prehistoric Peoples Spring Break Camp
Wondering what to do over spring break? Children ages 7 to 10 can enjoy a week long, full day nature camp learning about the prehistoric Indian peoples who once lived within Alexandria's ancient forests. Activities include woodland hikes, games, role playing, stone tool making, storytelling, journaling, and more! The camp fee includes a field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Register early, space is limited! To register, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation or call 703.746.5559 for more information.

Ongoing

Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library Call for Entries 2011 – 2014
The Office of the Arts and Alexandria Commission for the Arts in partnership with the Alexandria Libraries seek artist proposals to exhibit their three-dimensional works in the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library, 5005 Duke St. Proposals will be accepted from individual artists, consortia of artists, and organizations who work and/or live within the City of Alexandria until Friday, April 1, 2011 at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org.

Vote for Alexandria as Your Favorite 2011 Distinctive Destination
With fanfare on historic Market Square, the city announced on February 15 that the National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Alexandria to the list of 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The city earned this prestigious designation for its urban charm that blends an extraordinary early American past with modern flair and its citizens’ strong commitment to protecting and celebrating their history. Vote daily through March 15 for Alexandria to win Fan Favorite at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com.

Ice Melt Contest
To raise awareness of its historic well and needed funds to restore it, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St., is holding an Ice Melt Contest. The subterranean ice well at Cameron and N. Royal streets was stocked with several tons of ice on February 18 and participants are invited to guess how long it will take to completely melt. Buy a chance for $10 and guess correctly and you could win some “ice: of your own, like a diamond bracelet or Waterford crystal. Monitor the melting through an underground webcam and the “History on the Rocks” blog at www.alexandriava.gov/IceWell. For more information or to purchase a guess, visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

City of Alexandria Farmers’ Markets
The City of Alexandria is host to the Old Town Farmers’ Market and Del Ray Farmers’ Market every Saturday. The markets feature colorful displays of fresh, locally grown, in-season vegetables and fruit, gourmet coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, meat, bakery items and artisans. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/farmersmarket.